302 [B ?] st.
Boston, Feb. 1, 1885
Dear Mr. Stedman:
I hardly know what
to suggest of Mark Twain's
earlier work, unless it is
The Jumping Frog, and that
is too hackneyed. There is no
episode in The Prince &
Pauper that I can now
think of, which would be
serious except that of
the woman breast of the
stone. (Chap. called "In
Prison") and that seems
too tragic, though it might do, [from fun taken
the ?] in Tom
Sawyer (Chap.V.) of the
boy playing with the
punching bag in church.
I am sorry I can't do
better at present. If you'll
write me later, when it
[moves ?] to the selections for
the book itself, perhaps
I can help.
With kindest regards
to your father,
Yours sincerely
H. D. Howells